Ramallah to host first Palestinian Film Festival

Despite ongoing violence in the Palestinian lands, film organizers disclosed plans for what they describe as the first international film festival in Palestinian territory.

Despite ongoing violence in the Palestinian lands, film organizers disclosed plans for what they describe as the first international film festival in Palestinian territory.

The Ramallah Film Festival is scheduled to take place April 4-9, 2003 in the West Bank city, its director Adam Zuabi said in a statement released Friday at the Venice Film Festival.

"It will be an international film festival, whose main idea is to bring a little fantasy to this place, in order to make it easier for the people to cope with their reality and see beyond it," he was quoted as saying by AP.

According to him, the festival is supported by several international film figures, including actress Vanessa Redgrave, Bosnian director Danis Tanovic (Oscar-winning "No Man's Land") and Italian director Ettore Scola.

The festival will be funded by foreign organizations and through private support. "However, the festival will not be a competitive one and will not profess any particular theme," Zuabi said. "The aim is to encourage a colorful and open forum." (Albawaba.com)